The Story Behind Marco’s Art of Restoration

Marco’s Art of Restoration is a fine furniture and piano restoration studio founded by master restorer Marco De Lellis. Trained in Rome through generations of traditional craftsmanship, Marco combines time-honored European restoration techniques with modern finishing methods specializing in fine furniture restoration, antique restoration, custom wood finishing, architectural woodwork and piano restoration.

Heir to three generations of Roman master craftsmen, Marco De Lellis learned the art of antique furniture and keyboard instrument restoration in several distinguished workshops, beginning with the atelier of his grandfather, Gaspare Tancredi.

Marco received his diploma in Fine Arts from the Liceo Artistico di Via di Ripetta in Rome. At the age of sixteen, he became chief organist and choir director at the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Rome. After completing his studies, he continued his apprenticeship in the third-generation workshop of his grandfather, Gaspare Tancredi, and his uncle, Severino Lattanzi.

His training expanded to the traditional arts of Italian and French polishing, furniture restoration and furniture reproduction. At the Antonio Ticconi workshop, Marco further developed these skills while gaining experience with the traditional craftsmanship associated with important historic interiors.

Marco also studied and practiced woodworking, intarsia and marquetry, working on the restoration of important collections, including pieces at the Colonna family residence in Rome. He later participated in the restoration of private furniture collections and collaborated with professionals associated with Rome's conservation and restoration community.

While continuing his work in furniture restoration, Marco began specialized training in the restoration of keyboard instruments. His experience extended beyond modern pianos to fortepianos, harpsichords, clavichords and harmoniums.

He eventually became a master restorer and established his own studio in Rome, Il Laboratorio di Restauro. There, his work encompassed antique furniture, historical keyboard instruments and modern pianos, including instruments by Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer and Bechstein.

His reputation grew among galleries, collectors and private clients, and his work included the reproduction of important antique furniture as well as the conservation and restoration of original pieces.

Throughout these years, Marco developed his own approach to combining traditional and contemporary finishing methods. His experience ranges from French polishing and traditional lacquers to nitrocellulose, polyurethane and polyester finishing systems, allowing the treatment to be selected according to the history, construction and intended use of each piece.

Marco also founded Salotto Romano, a gathering that brought artisans and artists together to share music, art, wine and food within the distinctive atmosphere of his workshop.

In 2001, Marco De Lellis moved from Italy to New York. He initially worked with several piano rebuilding shops, gaining experience with American restoration practices and the U.S. market.

He later established his own restoration workshop in Astoria, New York, where his combined expertise in fine furniture and keyboard instruments allowed him to offer a specialized range of restoration and finishing services.

Today, Marco’s Art of Restoration is based in Hicksville, Long Island, where Marco and his team continue this tradition of craftsmanship. The studio is dedicated to meticulous workmanship, careful attention to detail and the use of professional-quality materials selected specifically for each project.